China-based networking vendor, Huawei Australia, has donated equipment and thousands of dollars as part of collaborative efforts with the University of Melbourne’s Institute for a Broadband-Enabled Society (IBES).

According to IBES director, Professor Rod Tucker, the MOU was first broached in July or August. Huawei attained platinum sponsorship status through financial and hardware donations to the institute.

“These are cash contributions. It’s in the tens of thousands of dollars to be a member at this level. There’s a bit of a trade-off between equipment and cash, but the majority is cash,” Professor Tucker said.

The fact Huawei’s competitors were also on-board as sponsors was a major positive and selling point for the institute, he said.

“By being involved in a neutral community of telecommunications and other companies working in a broad area, they’re becoming competitive by getting involved at a pretty competitive stage,” Professor Tucker said.

Professor Tucker refused to comment on the allegations, but said all partners would have access to the institute’s researchers and students as well as the data from any research completed.

“There’s potential for all the partners to have access to excellent students for future employment,” he said. “We’re doing research that will break new ground and all partners will have access to the outcomes of the research at an early stage and will be able to help set the directions.”

“The signing of the MOU further highlights Victoria’s leadership in supporting and developing innovative and job-creating technology, demonstrating why Victoria is the natural home for the National Broadband Network,” Victorian ICT minister, John Lenders, said in a statement.

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